Shine Women's Refuges

Leaving home is a big decision, but it may be the only way for you and your children to be safe, at least in the short term. If you are thinking of leaving an abusive partner, but you don’t have a safe place to go to, you may want to consider going to stay in Shine’s Women’s Refuge on the North Shore of Auckland, Supportline Women's Refuge in Central Auckland, or one of the many other refuges throughout the country.

Refuge can offer short-term accommodation for women and their children who are at risk of further harm from an abusive partner. Families who stay at Shine’s refuges have the time and space they need to recover from the shock and fear caused by the abuse. They are in a safe environment and are supported by experienced and friendly staff. Our two refuges are at confidential addresses, and offer warmth, shelter, safety, food and clothing, and support.

Shine’s refuge staff will help you to find safe, permanent housing. And while you’re staying at the refuge, staff can provide residents with information about Work and Income benefits, support groups, counselling, housing, and help to find a lawyer.

If you want to talk about going to stay in a Shine refuge or a women's refuge somewhere else in New Zealand, please ring the Shine Helpline at 0508-744-633.

Male victims, please note: If you are a male victim of domestic abuse and need help to escape the abuse, please ring Shine’s Helpline. While there are no ‘refuges’, there may be some emergency accommodation options available for you.

It is important to know that it may be difficult for you to find refuge accommodation if you do not have children, so if you are in this position, please ring our Helpline to talk through your options.